'''Structural engineering''' is that part of [[civil engineering]] in which [[Structural engineer|structural engineers]] are educated to create the 'bones and muscles' that create the form and shape of man made structures. [[Structural engineers]] need to understand and calculate the stability, strength and rigidity of built structures for [[Building|buildings]]<ref>[http://www.fao.org/docrep/015/i2433e/i2433e04.pdf FAO online publication] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119191121/http://www.fao.org/docrep/015/i2433e/i2433e04.pdf|date=2016-11-19}}</ref> and [[Nonbuilding structure|nonbuilding structures]]. The structural designs are integrated with those of other designers such as [[architects]] and [[Building services engineering|building services engineer]] and often supervise the construction of projects by [[contractors]] on site.<ref name="IStructE" /> They can also be involved in the design of machinery, medical equipment, and vehicles where structural integrity affects functioning and safety. See [[glossary of structural engineering]].
Structural engineering theory is based upon applied [[Physics|physical laws]] and [[empirical]] knowledge of the structural performance of different materials and geometries. Structural engineering design uses a number of relatively simple [[Structural element|structural elements]] to build complex [[Structural system|structural systems]]. Structural engineers are responsible for making creative and efficient use of funds, structural elements and materials to achieve these goals.<ref name="IStructE">{{cite web|url=http://www.rmg-engineers.com/what-is-a-structural-engineer/|title=What is a structural engineer|date=2015-11-30|website=RMG Engineers|publisher=|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208052438/http://www.rmg-engineers.com/what-is-a-structural-engineer/|archivedate=2015-12-08|accessdate=2015-11-30|deadurl=no|df=}}</ref>{{TOC limit|limit=3}}
